Predators will face Phoenix in 2011-12 home-opener

Just more than five months after Nashville Predators fans bid farewell to their team and the 2010-11 season, they will welcome back their team to Bridgestone Arena.

The Predators’ 2011-12 home opener will be Oct. 13 (a Thursday night) against the Phoenix Coyotes. The complete regular-season schedule will be released 1 p.m. Thursday.

Nashville ended its most successful run on home ice with a 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks back on May 9.

The Predators and Coyotes routinely have met early in the season, but this will be the first time in three years they play in October. Since 2005-06, Nashville has won two of three played in the season’s first month.